Having written about one famous wine family in the January and February issues (see online at fortbendlifestylesandhomes.com, click on Wine, food and travel), I am seriously behind in wine recommendations. Of more than 300 wines tasted recently, here are the top 20 percent, each of which I would serve proudly, and each a great value in its respective price range. For a wine-treasure-seeking shopping spree, take this article to your favorite wine shop. Enjoy!

Hopdoddy — A phenomenon! The first thing I noticed was the long line. What? They were all being served drinks and were nibbling on French Fries. After we were seated, both a waiter and manager came by offering suggestions and asking for questions about the menu. From the Signature Sips, we ordered a Lil Prick, “a sassy prickly pear martini with silver tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice.” Excellent! We then ordered the parmesan truffle fries with truffle aioli to start — awesome and steaming hot — and just couldn’t pass up the green chili queso with fries — just as good! From the 13 house-ground, non-antibiotic beef burger choices, my wife had a Classic Burger, and I had a Llano Poblano Burger — angus beef, apple smoked bacon, tillanook pepperjack, seared poblanos, chipotle mayo, red lettuce leaf, white onion and beefsteak tomato. All on homemade buns (all start from scratch each day). Paired with a Live Oak Hefeweizen Draft Beer. Everything about the experience was outstanding! In the River Oaks district.

Brio Tuscan Grill —Pre-dinner found us atypically having cocktails instead of wine, and sipping on a Peach Bellini and a Strawberry Fresca. I knew we were onto something special. My first impression of the food was an encounter with a unique Kale Caesar Salad — one of the best salads served in Houston — “Tricolore lettuce, marinated (in lime juice) kale, pancetta, tomatoes, chopped egg, croutons, Caesar dressing, Parmesan.” Thank goodness my wife and I split one — huge and to-die-for! And assuming the main courses we split are indicative of the rest of the food — one was a delicious Shrimp Risotto & Broiled Lobster Tail (“mushrooms, roasted red peppers, asparagus, basil, Parmesan”) — we shall return! 1208 Queensbury Lane, Suite 100 .

Third Coast — This fabulous addition to the Texas Medical Center (6650 Bertner), draws on Asian, Latin, Native-American, Czech-German and good-old Texas traditions. Executive Chef Jon Buchanan says, “We’re proud to use natural, sustainable and local ingredients, and have a beautiful wine list that pairs perfectly with our menu.” If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worthwhile to treat yourself with a meal.